John Baltes, 96

Published by editor on Mon, 04/11/2022 - 7:52am

John Joseph Baltes, age 96, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away April 8, 2022 at the Hampton Rehab Center. A celebration of life will be held on Monday, April 18^th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Hampton, Iowa. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home in Hampton.

John was born on January 30, 1926, the son of Leonard and Mary Baltes near Duncombe, Iowa. He graduated from Hansell High School with the class of 1944.

After graduation, John proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a Navy Seabee stationed at Okinawa operating heavy equipment. John made many friends in the Navy and later attended several Seabee reunions. He loved the Navy and was proud to serve.

When John returned from the war, he farmed with his dad and brothers. He married Nancy Libby on November 4, 1950, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Hampton. John and Nancy settled on their farm east of Hampton and raised four sons and fostered three children. While farming, John joined the United States Postal Service in Hampton as a city carrier. After retiring from the post office, he continued to farm with his brother, Chuck, and nephew, Jon Baltes.

John, like all the Baltes men, never missed an opportunity to tease someone. Between John and his brother Chuck, it was almost a competition who teased the most. This trait was definitely passed on to the next generation.

John will be dearly missed by his four sons, Michael (Charlotte) of Ankeny, Iowa, Raymond (Julie) Baltes of Hampton, Iowa, William Baltes of Des Moines, Iowa, Joseph Baltes of Sylvan Grove, Kansas; three grandchildren, Matthew Baltes of Huxley, Iowa, Michelle (Dave) Breitwisch of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Tommy Baltes of Cedar Falls, Iowa. John had eight great-grandchildren: William Baltes, Madelyn Baltes, Audrey Baltes, Emery Baltes, and Weston Baltes, Johathan Breitwisch, Ezra Breitwisch, and Charlee Breitwisch.

John was preceded in death by his wife Nancy Baltes; parents Leonard and Mary Baltes; Richard Baltes, brother; and Colletta Ammann, sister.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Franklin County Fair.